Cassette housing having a longitudinally extended profile

ABSTRACT

A cassette housing includes a longitudinally extended profile for accommodating at least one winding shaft on which a respective flexible sheetlike structure is held in a manner such that it can be wound up and unwound. A load-bearing longitudinal profile is provided which extends at least substantially over the length of the cassette housing and to which the longitudinally extended profile is fastened.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on German application 10 2004 038077.5, filed Jul. 29, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a cassette housing having a longitudinally extended profile for accommodating at least one winding shaft on which a respective flexible sheetlike structure is held in a manner such that it can be wound up and unwound.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cassette housings of this type are generally known for boot space protection devices of estate cars. The cassette housing has, as the longitudinally extended profile, a dimensionally rigid hollow profile which is usually designed as a metal extruded profile. The opposite ends of the hollow profile are closed by side parts which are provided with supports for two winding shafts. One winding shaft bears a flexible separating net which can be pulled upwards approximately vertically out of the cassette housing. The other winding shaft bears a boot space covering which is designed as a flexible covering tarpaulin. The covering tarpaulin can be pulled out of the cassette housing approximately horizontally through a first longitudinal slot. The cassette housing is fastened releasably in securing means fixed on the vehicle by means of corresponding fastening means. In its functional state, the cassette housing is fitted in the vehicle and the separating net is pulled out upwards and fitted into securing means on the roof. If, in the case of severe deceleration of the vehicle due to full braking, a vehicle accident or the like, luggage is hurled forwards out of the boot space, the luggage plunges into the separating net, as a result of which not only the separating net but also the cassette housing are exposed to severe loads. In order to be able to absorb these loads, the cassette housing and, in particular, the hollow profile are of extremely stable design. Accordingly, the cassette housing has a high weight.

It is the object of the invention to provide a cassette housing of the type mentioned at the beginning which has a reduced weight while nevertheless having sufficient stability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This object is achieved by a load-bearing longitudinal profile being provided which extends at least substantially over the length of the cassette housing and to which the profile is fastened. In the case of the solution according to the invention, the essential load-absorbing function of the cassette housing is taken on by the load-bearing longitudinal profile. The profile may be designed with one or more open cavities in shell form forming correspondingly closed cavities by the connection to the longitudinal profile. A shell profile is referred to here. As an alternative, the profile may also be provided with at least one closed cavity. A closed hollow profile is then referred to here. Since the load-absorbing function is taken over by the longitudinal profile, the profile itself can have substantially reduced stability and, as a result, can bring about a considerable reduction in weight for the cassette housing. The load-bearing longitudinal profile is preferably produced from metal, in particular a light metal.

The solution according to the invention is suitable in particular for cassette housings which are part of protection devices in the interior of a motor vehicle. Protection devices of this type are, firstly, separating structures which can be pulled out approximately vertically and, secondly, boot space coverings which can be pulled out approximately horizontally. In the same manner, the cassette housing can also be used for sun protection devices which have a sun protection structure which can be pulled out in the form of a roller blind. In a preferred manner, the longitudinal profile is provided with a structure which can be deformed in an energy-absorbing manner. A structure of this type can be provided in particular by the load-absorbing longitudinal profile being plastically deformable at least in some sections with energy being absorbed. Owing to the fact that the non-bearing parts of the cassette housing, such as the shell-like or closed profile and the side parts can be produced from plastic, these can be largely freely configured in terms of design. This provides the possibility of obtaining a good match with the design of the vehicle interior. For the load-absorbing longitudinal profile, use is preferably made of high strength materials which can be combined, if appropriate, with partial reductions in the material, in particular by means of a hole structure. The solution according to the invention is suitable in a particularly advantageous manner for passenger vehicles which have both a passenger compartment and a boot space open to the passenger compartment in a vehicle interior. The cassette housing is then part of a protection device which is assigned to the boot space and is positioned releasably fixed on the vehicle in particular in the region of a rear seat bench. The protection device serves, by means of one sheetlike structure, preferably for separating off the boot space from the passenger compartment and, by means of a further sheetlike structure, for the approximately horizontal covering of a boot space.

In one refinement of the invention, the load-bearing longitudinal profile is provided with a hole structure. As a result, a further reduction in weight is obtained, The hole structure is designed in such a manner that the crucial criteria in terms of strength for the longitudinal profile are not impaired.

In a further refinement of the invention, the longitudinal profile has an L-shaped cross section. Two profile legs are therefore preferably formed, which profile legs are oriented in an L-shaped manner with respect to each other and of which one can form a rear wall and the other a lower side of the cassette housing.

In a further refinement of the invention, the longitudinal profile is provided at the opposite ends with bearing brackets for supporting at least one winding shaft. Since, when loads occur, forces can also be transmitted into the cassette housing via the at least one winding shaft, this refinement ensures that these loads are introduced into the longitudinal profile which is suitable for a corresponding absorption of load.

In a further refinement of the invention, the bearing brackets comprise angled supports which are integrally formed as a single piece on the longitudinal profile. Corresponding bearing elements for the winding shaft are arranged on the angled supports.

In a further refinement of the invention, the longitudinal profile is designed as a single-part sheet-metal construction. This ensures a cost-effective and nevertheless sufficiently stable solution.

In a further refinement of the invention, two bowl-like side parts are provided which partially overlap the longitudinal profile and the profile axially and are connected both to the longitudinal profile and to the profile. The side parts can be provided in particular for supporting the further winding shaft for securing a boot space covering which can be wound up and unwound approximately horizontally and does not have a restraining function in the event of severe decelerations of the vehicle. The side parts serve in particular to connect the profile to the longitudinal profile in a positionally secured manner.

In a further refinement of the invention, the side parts and/or the profile are produced from a lightweight material, in particular from plastic or a composite material. Since the side parts and the profile are at least substantially without a load-absorbing function, they can be produced in a lightweight construction, as a result of which the entire weight of the cassette housing can be kept extremely low. The low entire weight of the cassette housing provides an ergonomically more favorable and easier operability of the cassette housing during the installation or removal within the motor vehicle. In addition, the possibility is created of realizing the side parts and the profile at least substantially in accordance with design criteria, with the result that, in particular, a matching to a design of the vehicle interior is made possible.

In a further refinement of the invention, the side parts have profiled plug-in structures for the axial plugging of the side parts onto the profile and the longitudinal profile. This ensures a frictional blocking in the plug-on direction and, transversely with respect to the plug-on direction, a form-fitting gripping of the side parts on the profile and on the longitudinal profile.

In a further refinement of the invention, the longitudinal profile has a profiled longitudinal edge section which is connected in a sheetlike manner over its length to a profile-receiving section of the profile. The profiled longitudinal edge section and the profile-receiving section are preferably coordinated with each other in such a manner that the longitudinal edge section and the profile-receiving section can be pushed axially one inside the other, with the result that, in addition to a frictional connection, a form-fitting connection is provided in the connection between the longitudinal profile and the profile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages and features of the invention emerge from the claims and the description below of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention which is illustrated with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows, in a perspective illustration, an embodiment of a cassette housing according to the invention from a rear side, which usually faces a rear seat bench,

FIG. 2 shows the cassette housing from FIG. 1 in a perspective exploded illustration, and

FIG. 3 shows, in an enlarged illustration, a cross section through the cassette housing from FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A cassette housing according to FIGS. 1 to 3 is part of a protection device which is arranged in the region of a boot space of a motor vehicle, in particular of an estate car, a large-capacity saloon, a sports utility vehicle or the like. The cassette housing is arranged preferably in a front region of the boot space at the transition to a passenger compartment which is likewise part of the vehicle interior. The cassette housing is preferably oriented in the transverse direction of the vehicle in securing means fixed on the vehicle approximately at the height of a top edge of the vehicle and is positioned directly behind a rear seat bench. The cassette housing extends at least substantially over the entire width of the boot space.

The cassette housing is formed from a plurality of parts, of which only one part has a load-absorbing function and is provided with appropriate strength. As can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 3, the cassette housing has a longitudinal profile 1 which consists of a high strength material which can be deformed in an energy-absorbing manner. In the case of the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the load-absorbing longitudinal profile 1 is designed as a single-part sheet-metal construction. The longitudinal profile 1 has essentially an approximately L-shaped cross section by means of which a profile leg forming a rear wall of the cassette housing and a profile leg 14 forming a lower side are provided. The rear profile leg is provided with a hole structure which is formed by a series of elongated holes 4 running in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal profile 1. The rear profile leg also has two stiffening beads which extend over the entire length of the longitudinal profile 1 parallel to the elongated-hole row 4 above and below this elongated-hole row. The profile leg 14 of the lower side has, over its entire length in the region of its longitudinal edge, a bead-like profiled structure 10 which is curved convexly upwards in cross section (FIG. 3). At opposite ends of the profile leg 14 of the lower side, retaining tabs 9 are provided which protrude upwards at right angles and are used for fixing a functional part of a winding shaft.

The rear profile leg has, on its opposite end sides, tab extensions 7 which continue in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal profile 1 as an extension of the rear profile leg and of a platelike and planar design. Below the tab extension 7, two angled supports 8 are provided in the region of the opposite ends, the angled supports being positioned from the rear profile leg at right angles to the side facing the profile leg 14 of the lower side. Each angle support 8 has a bearing element 20 (FIG. 3) in order to be able to rotatably support between the two angled supports a winding shaft which extends over the entire length of the longitudinal profile 1. The winding shaft is provided in a manner which is basically known and is not illustrated specifically with a sheetlike structure which can be wound up and unwound and is in the form of a separating net which can be pulled out approximately vertically upwards as soon as the cassette housing positioned within a vehicle, and can be fastened releasably in securing means on the roof. The winding shaft is provided with a restoring spring arrangement which is supported on the retaining tabs 9 in order to subject the winding shaft to spring force in the winding-up direction.

A hollow profile 3 which is either of shell-shaped or else closed and hollow design is fastened to the load-absorbing longitudinal profile 1. The hollow profile 3 has an upper, essentially closed cavity 12 which is obliquely upwards and forwardly open merely by a longitudinal slot 11 extending over the entire length of the hollow profile 3. A shell section 13 of the hollow profile 3 is arranged below the cavity 12 and is curved towards the longitudinal profile 1 in cross section in such a manner that, together with the L-shaped cross section of the longitudinal profile 1, a further cavity is produced for receiving the winding shaft and the sheetlike structure fastened thereon, which winding shaft is mounted between the angled supports 8. In order to fasten the shell section 13 to the longitudinal profile 1, the shell section 13 has, in the region of its longitudinal edge, a receiving groove which is open to the longitudinal side and is provided with a curved cross section which is coordinated with the cross section of the bead-like profiled structure 10. As a result, the receiving groove of the longitudinal edge 15 of the shell section 13 of the hollow profile 3 can be plugged in a form-fitting manner onto the bead-like profiled structure 10. The plugging-on can take place either in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal profile 1 or transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal profile 1 by the hollow profile 3 being positioned, according to FIG. 2, over its entire length in front of the longitudinal profile 1 and being plugged at the same time onto the bead-shaped profile structure 10 by simultaneous pivoting over its entire width.

In order to be able to fix the hollow profile 3 to the longitudinal profile 1, in addition to the plug-in connection between the bead-shaped profiled structure 10 and the longitudinal edge 15 and the associated receiving groove, a latching connection is provided which is positioned in the region of the angled support 8. For this purpose, the two angled supports 8 have, on their front and upper end region, a latching lug 17 which protrudes upwards. The hollow profile 2 is provided with a corresponding latching web 16 which, in the fitted state, latches over the latching lugs 17, as can be seen with reference to FIG. 3. By this means, a preliminary fixing of the hollow profile 3 to the longitudinal profile 1 is obtained. The final fixing takes place by means of two bowl-like side parts 2 which are pushed axially from opposite end sides onto the preassembled unit of longitudinal profile 1 and hollow profile 3 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the hollow profile 3 consists of plastic. The two bowl-like side parts 2 are also produced from plastic and in each case engage over the longitudinal profile 1 and the hollow profile 3 over a certain axial length on the outside. Each side part 2 is provided with a longitudinal slot extension (not referred to specifically) which is arranged in alignment with the longitudinal slot 11 of the hollow profile 3. The two side parts 2 each have a supporting extension 6 which protrudes towards the center of the cassette housing parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cassette housing. Each side part 2 is plugged axially onto the longitudinal profile 1 and the hollow profile 3. In order to obtain a mutual form-fitting fixing of the particular side part 2, the associated end region of the hollow profile 3 and the extension 7 of the longitudinal profile 1, the inner contour of each side part 2 is matched to the outer contours of hollow profile 3 and longitudinal profile 1. On the inside, each side part 2 is provided with plug-in profiled structures 18 in the form of guide webs and angled guides which permit a flush and play-free holding of the hollow profile 3 in the side part 2. In addition, each side part 2 is fastened to the longitudinal profile 1 by means of at least one fastening element 5 by the fastening element bringing about an axial securing of the particular side part 2 relative to the longitudinal profile 1. Rivets, screws or similar fastening means can be provided as fastening elements 5.

An inside end surface of each side part 2 is provided with a bolt-like bearing element 19 for the mounting of a further winding shaft on which a flexible boot space covering is held in a manner not illustrated specifically.

In addition, parts of a retaining device for fastening the cassette housing on the vehicle are attached, in a manner not illustrated specifically, either to the side parts 2 or directly to the longitudinal profile 1. The corresponding parts of the retaining device that are fixed on the vehicle are arranged either in the region of a rear side of a backrest of the rear seat bench or on vehicle side walls approximately level with a top edge of the vehicle. 

1. Cassette housing having a longitudinally extended profile for accommodating at least one winding shaft on which a respective flexible sheetlike structure is held in a manner such that it can be wound up and unwound, wherein a load-bearing longitudinal profile is provided which extends at least substantially over the length of the cassette housing and to which the profile is fastened.
 2. Cassette housing according to claim 1, wherein the load-bearing longitudinal profile is provided with a hole structure.
 3. Cassette housing according to claim 1, wherein the load-bearing longitudinal profile has an L-shaped cross section.
 4. Cassette housing according to claim 1, wherein the load-bearing longitudinal profile is provided at opposite ends with bearing brackets for supporting at least one winding shaft.
 5. Cassette housing according to claim 4, wherein the bearing brackets comprise angled supports integrally formed as a single piece on the load-bearing longitudinal profile.
 6. Cassette housing according to claim 1, wherein the load-bearing longitudinal profile is designed as a single-part sheet-metal construction.
 7. Cassette housing according to claim 1, wherein two bowl-like side parts are provided which partially overlap the load-bearing longitudinal profile and the longitudinally extended profile axially and are connected both to the load-bearing longitudinal profile and to the longitudinally extended profile.
 8. Cassette housing according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the side parts and the longitudinally extended profile are produced from a lightweight construction material.
 9. Cassette housing according to claim 8, wherein the lightweight construction material is plastic.
 10. Cassette housing according to claim 8, wherein the lightweight construction material is a composite material.
 11. Cassette housing according to claim 7, wherein the side parts have profiled plug-in structures for the axial plugging of the side parts onto the longitudinally extended profile and the load-bearing longitudinal profile.
 12. Cassette housing according to claim 1, wherein the load-bearing longitudinal profile has a profiled longitudinal edge section which is connected over its length in a sheetlike manner to a profile-receiving section of the longitudinally extended profile. 